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article thumbnailDOHA 05 March 2025 — The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in the State of Qatar invites the general public to visit the Department of Foreign Affairs microsite on the United Nations Ocean...
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DOHA 13 June 2023 — For the very first time, three iconic architectural landmarks in the Qatari capital were lit up with the Philippine flag on the evening of 12 June 2023 as part of the Philippine Embassy’s celebration of the 125th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine independence.

Philippine Embassy personnel led by H.E. Ambassador Lillibeth V. Pono, along with members of the Filipino community in Doha, trooped to The Torch Doha, Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, and the Al Jaber Twin Towers to witness the illumination of the Philippine flag on giant digital screens.

“The lighting of the Philippine flag in several of Doha’s iconic buildings is an indication of the healthy bilateral relations between the Philippines and Qatar,” Ambassador Pono said.

“This also serves as a recognition of the valuable contribution of Filipinos to Qatar’s development,” she added.

The first to display the Philippine flag was The Torch Doha. Located in Aspire Zone, this structure is officially the tallest in Qatar. The imposing building also served as a landmark of the 15th Asian Games, which was held in Doha in 2006.

The Torch Doha was followed by the display of the Philippine flag at the Sheraton Grand Doha. Located in the West Bay area, this five-star luxury hotel was built in 1979. Its pyramid-like architecture has since figured prominently in the Doha skyline, holding its own in a field of uniquely designed skyscrapers.

The event was capped off by the illumination of the Philippine flag at the Al Jaber Twin Towers in the up and coming Lusail district. Housing offices, a hotel, and retail facilities, the twin buildings feature a unique shape that makes them easily recognizable even from a distance.

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For more information, visit dohape.dfa.gov.ph, facebook.com/PHinQatar, or instagram.com/phinqatar.

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DOHA 13 June 2023 — The Philippine Embassy in the State of Qatar, together with the Migrant Workers Office (MWO), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), SSS, and Pag-IBIG held a flag-raising ceremony and community breakfast with the diplomatic missions of ASEAN Member States in Doha, government ministries from Qatar, and leaders of Filipino groups to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine independence on 12 June 2023 at the Katara Drama Theater.

Professor Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General Manager of Katara Cultural Village, was the guest of honor.

In her remarks, Philippine Ambassador to the State of Qatar H.E. Lillibeth V. Pono rued the vibrancy of the period since her assumption as Ambassador.

“In the past four and a half months, there was never a shortage of things to be excited about or look forward to,” she said.

“I take this opportunity to thank all of you who are present here, for the teamwork, the friendships, and the partnerships,” she added.

Ambassador Pono also highlighted the presence of over 260,000 Filipinos living and/or working in Qatar.

“I have met many of them, I have  listened to their narratives, and I have discovered the diversity of their experiences. I am proud to say that together, the Filipinos in Qatar have left and continue to leave an indelible mark on Qatar’s unique story of progress and development,” she said.

The rich maritime culture and history of the Philippines and Qatar also figured in Ambassador Pono’s remarks.

“The gulfs, the seas, and the oceans have played and continue to play a crucial role in shaping the history and future of our two nations. As a maritime and archipelagic country, the Philippines – just like Qatar – advocates for the responsible use of the world’s oceans and seas,” she said.

“The Philippines calls for the primacy of a rules-based international order in the world’s seas and oceans, so that the activities carried out therein are in accordance with international law, and duly respect territorial sovereignty,” she added.

Looking ahead, Ambassador Pono expressed optimism at the successful implementation of the Philippines’ sustainable and inclusive development agenda.

“With a young and dynamic workforce, sound macroeconomic fundamentals, a people-centered government, and a vibrant democracy, we are certain that the Philippines will chart the future with the proud resolve of the brave Filipinos of our collective history,” she said.

Ambassador Pono also thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar and the Katara Cultural Village for their support and assistance in organizing the event.

The flag-raising ceremony was followed by the recognition of Qatar-based Filipinos who recently made headlines for bagging world records and triumphing at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

A breakfast buffet that featured well-loved Filipino food staples capped off the event.

For more information, visit dohape.dfa.gov.ph, facebook.com/PHinQatar, or instagram.com/phinqatar.

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DOHA 12 June 2023 — Two Doha-based broadsheets, The Peninsula and Qatar Tribune, published special supplements to commemorate the 125th Philippine Independence Day on 12 June 2023.

The remembrance of the courage of heroes past, as well as the celebration of their enduring legacy of freedom and democracy, is at the forefront of this national holiday.

For more information, visit dohape.dfa.gov.ph, facebook.com/PHinQatar, or instagram.com/phinqatar.

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On this day a hundred and twenty-five years ago, in the waning years of the centuries-long occupation by Spanish colonizers, Filipino revolutionary forces declared the independence of the Philippine islands.

It was the culmination of a prolonged, if not protracted, struggle by our ancestors for a sovereign state, signaling the birth of the Filipino nation.

Despite the stretch of land and seas that separate us in Qatar from the Philippines, the cultural and historic ties that bind us as Filipinos endure. Because ours is a shared history of tragedies and triumphs, of resilience and hope, and of a love for country that transcends time and space.

We hark back to the spirited hours of 12 June 1898 as we ourselves emerge from the trying years of the COVID-19 pandemic. With guided optimism and somber remembrance of those who have left us in the wake of this 21st century tragedy, we look forward to better years ahead both as a nation and as a people with shared aspirations.

The tasks that lie ahead of us are enormous. But we remain committed to carrying out our national socio-economic goals over the medium and long term, guided by the Philippine Development Plan for the years 2023 to 2028, the 8-Point Socio-Economic Agenda, and the Ambisyon Natin 2040.

Our vision is for all Filipinos to enjoy a strongly rooted, comfortable, and secure life. All of us are enjoined to play our part, big or small, in making sure this vision is realized.

The national transformation we so urgently need requires a consciousness of where we are and where we wish to direct ourselves to. Centuries ago, our ancestors battled for the right to self-determination. Today, the Philippines faces battles of a different kind, battles that other regions of the world are also confronted with: a quest for freedom from the shackles of inequality, technological gap, climate change, threats to territorial integrity, and abuse of social media resulting in the distortion of facts.

But where there are challenges, there are opportunities. With increased spending in infrastructure, a young and dynamic workforce, sound macroeconomic fundamentals, a principled foreign policy, and a vibrant democracy, we will chart the future with the proud resolve of the valiant Filipinos of our collective history.

I wish Filipinos in Qatar and elsewhere in the world a joyful and meaningful 125th Independence Day!


LILLIBETH V. PONO

Ambassador

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